The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-07-15

kilograms were constantly being
delivered, for fathers and brothers
had enlisted, and daughters and sis
ters must bravety bid them farewell
and God speed"
Hazel had been the first to go, for
popular sentiment turned against her
as a rebel, and she gladly went to selp
her father, who was mastering forces
and drilling Camp life suited
hlm; in the field he seemed in his ele-
ment, and the prudent farmer became
a brilliant officer. Always foremost
in the fight, he won respect even from
his enemies, who, while they admired
his fearlessness and energy, congratu-
lated themselves that there were very
few confederate generals like him.
1t was in one OF the fieccest struggles
OF the civil war that he fell, fighting
brevely. killed by one we'll aimed
charge. When his body was brought
home, Hazel received the sorrowing
soldiers without Il tear, and when
some one roughly accused her OF
heartlessness, she answered, with the
spirit OF a true soldiers daughter:
"1f papa had died ignobly I should
weep Tor the disgrace, but they tell me
he fell fighting honored even by those
who struck him down. I shall mourn
for my father, but he would have me
give up my soldier as bravely as he
gave his life"
The weary months crept on. Wait.
ing safely, far from the struggle, with
her aunt in the north, was out OF the
question, and Hazel begged so hard to
be allowed to follow her own inclina,
tions, that permission was granted,
and she joined the little band OF help
full women who was going to nurse the
poor fellows dying for want of proper
care.
In the hospital the dark eyed, pale
faced nurse soon became popular, for
shs was as strong as she was tender,
always willing to undergo all the hard
ships for the sake of the suffering sol
diers.
She often found friends OF her faith.
er among the wounded, and her eyes
grew bright as she listened to the
stories his admirers told OF his manly
courage and tender sympathy.
One day she was looking over the
list of "Kiled and Wounded" in the
mornings paper, and saw the name
OF Major Robert d. Steveps among
the others.
AS she read there camo a flood OF
old time recollections, memories half.
| forgotten, and then vague wonder
stole into her heart. Did her old
| playmate remember her with the same
| tender longlng2
She thought ofhis call at the school.
| She had dressed herself with care to
receive him, but she had seemed cold
| and distant, and he had gone away
She had only heard lumors OF hlm
since. He had begun the study OF
medicine, and had gone into the Office
OF q celebrated old doctor in north
ern state, and during the war had gain
edhonors in the Federal army. .and now
she doubted not that he had forgot
ten her, as she had tried to put him
ont of her mind. Her heart ached
with an unaccustomed pain, and as
she went about her daily duties her
patients missed her attentive sym.
pathy, for though she performed all
her tasks, she was preoccupied, busy
with her own thoughts.
Toward noon the doctor called her
and said II have new patient for
you, He will need constant core, for
he is in q fever, and it will take good
nursing to bring him round" And
leading the way to his own private
Office he added, "1ve got him in here,
for the present. He was a pupil OF
mine, and l feel q great interest in
him."
The man turned restlessly on his
rough couch; his hagard face was
turned to the wall, the blue eyes
glanced vacantly about the room, and
the tawny hair was pushed back from
the hot forhead; one arm lay useless,
and as he moved a little low moan es-
capped his tightly closed lips. "It is
Major Stevens said the Doctor.
"He's In u bad way, isn't he? Good
fellow! We'll bring him round, if pos
| sible." Tears came to HazePs eyes
as she answered fervently, "Please
God, we willn'
Through the days of hopeless wait
ing and the nights OF suspense Hazel
was constant and faithful, always
ready with cheerful word or smile in
the rare intervals OF consciousness,
working or watching when death
seemed near, and hoping forget dread
ing, the time when Rob should recog-
nize her. Admiring his brave endur-
ance of the pain that it is harder to
bear than danger i'll the midst of ex-
element, and reviewing her sirlish re-
gard for her boy friend, she had come
to love the honorea major with ten.
der affection, that grew daily, and oc.
casionally frightened her with its
depth.
At length the old doctor joyfully
gave % glimmer OF hope; then again
came the dull despair, and II long
fierce struggle between death and life.
AS the first light of dawn showed in
the sky, DR.. Holmes turned to the
pale girl and said; s'He is sleeping
We can tell nothing till he wakes; so
go and rest, for if he begins to improve
you'll have your hands full, and any.
way, you mustn't get ill.," With a
faint remonstrance Hazel obeyed and
laid down on couch near the door,
there not to sleep, but to listen in.
tently for every sound.
All was STILL save for the quiet. reg.
ular breathing that made her heart
rejoice. and the ticking OF the tall
clock. When struggling beam oi
sunlight fell through the window, she
stole quietly into the room, where she
stood by the bedside, anxiously re-
garding the worn yet peaceful face o
the sleeper.
Suddenly his eyes flew open, and
looking wonderingly at the two sopel
faces before him, he held out his hand
to Hazel, saying helplessly, "Youh have
come to say 'goodby.' Don't be cold
Hazel; let me leave the world with q
pleasant remembrance" The pleading
tone and look were to much, and she
leaned down and kissed the pale face
saying heartily, "1t is not 'goodby,
but a welcome back to life and happi
ness" The astonished doctor, begin
ing to comprehend the situation, Wen,
softly away, and cautiously wipine
his eyes he thought OF his own youth
Asking no questions, the weak man
! held HazePs hand, and listened witt
eager eyes, us she told him OF erlong
ing for him, and her fears that she had
forfeited his love. Finally she sait
gayly, ri seem to do all the wooing
but you'll forgive me, dear heart" anc
as he drew her down to look the pas
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